A FEATURE run of premium Fenech Brahmans females broke the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange prime and store sale price per kilo record for commercial heifers at 655.2c/kg on Wednesday, smashing the previous figure by more than 113c.
The top pen, drawn from the well-known Wowan Brahman stud, weighed 409kg to return $2682/hd, and the complete line of 52 No.0 heifers averaged 593c equaling $2089/hd.
The great result comes hot on the heels of the previous record, which was only set late last month for a Yuri Wurgle Brangus pen at 542.2c.
The Fenech Brahmans' run increased the buying pool at CQLX, and Julian Laver, Nutrien Livestock Rockhampton, said representatives from both the stud and commercial sectors were present and were bidding fiercely.
"For the lead pen, a buyer from Mitchell set the pace and he pushed a lot of the stud people out to get the cattle he wanted," Mr Laver said.
"All the buyers certainly appreciated the good quality cattle, and many were there looking for Grey Brahman females."
Lestree Downs, a vendor that consistently sells females through CQLX once a year, offered 112 head of Grey Brahman heifers which also met fierce demand. The Clermont vendor's top pen reached 564c and weighed 311kg to return $1625/hd.
Mr Laver said the strong results reflected the stock's high quality and the sheer demand for breeding stock.
"The quality was what drew the buyers there, but the demand for females is what drove the prices. It's exceptional demand across all breeds, but particularly for Brahmans," he said.
The complete auction yarded more than 2590 head of cattle, which were drawn from as far north as Collinsville.
Slaughter steers sold to 394c, average 383c, steers 400-500kg made 440c, average 410c, steers 300-400kg reached 540c, average 420c, steers 200-300kg made 644c, average 535c and steers under 200kg sold to 648c, average 617c.
Slaughter cows sold to 322c, average 310c, cows 400-450kg made 306c, average 296c, and cows 320-400kg reached 334c, average 292c.
Heavy heifers sold to 655c, average 416c, heifers 300-400kg made 655c, average 450c, heifers 200-300kg reached 564c, average 474c, and heifers under 200kg made 516c, average 467c.
Cows and calves sold to $2580/unit, average $1840/unit.
Bulls over 600kg made 346c, average 332c, bulls 450-600kg reached 346c, average 328c and bulls under 450kg sold to 568c, average 436c.
A and A Adair sold a run of 119 Charbray and Brangus cross steers to average 626c to top at 233kg to return $1461/hd. D Bowman, St Lawrence, sold No.1 Brahman steers for 588c weighing 253kg to return $1485/hd.
PPL Pty Ltd, Proserpine, sold Brangus Steers for 626c weighing 235kg to return $1474/hd. G and R Ellrott, Collinsville, sold No.9 Brahman steers for a top of 436c weighing 420kg to return $1830/hd.
CW Wright, Mt Larcom sold Droughtmaster cross weaner steers for 644c weighing 189kg to return $1217/hd. Allen Pastoral Co, Boyne Valley, sold Brangus weaner steers to 618c weighing 195kg to return $1205/hd. Parker Cattle Co, Morinish, sold Droughtmaster Brahman cross weaner steers to 644c weighing 237kg to return $1526/hd. Their weaner heifer siblings sold to 530c weighing 252kg to return $1338/hd.
Tamara Warner, Hedlow, sold prime Brahman heifers for 365c weighing 554kg to return $2023/hd. P Bradford and J Hicks, Koumala, sold Brangus heifers for 514c weighing 229kg for a return of $1177/hd.
FE Cranston sold Droughtmaster cows to 320c weighing 615kg to return $1968/hd. Robert Mifsud, Sarina, sold quality Brahman cow and calf for $2580/unit